"Eastbound & Down" (2009) TV series

User Rating:

9.0/10   

Creators:

Ben Best
Jody Hill
Danny McBride

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

15 February 2009 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot:

Years after he turned his back on his hometown, a burned-out major league ballplayer returns to teach phys ed at his old middle school.

Plot Keywords:

Baseball | Female Nudity | Punctuation In Title | Teacher | Ampersand In Title

Cast

Danny McBride	...	Kenny Powers (6 episodes, 2009)
Katy Mixon	...	April Buchanon (6 episodes, 2009)
John Hawkes	...	Dustin Powers (6 episodes, 2009)
Andrew Daly	...	Terrence Cutler (6 episodes, 2009)
Ben Best	...	Clegg (6 episodes, 2009)
Jennifer Irwin	...	Cassie Powers (6 episodes, 2009)
Steve Little	...	Stevie Janowski (6 episodes, 2009)
Ethan Alexander McGee	...	Dustin Jr. (6 episodes, 2009)
Bo Mitchell	...	Wayne (6 episodes, 2009)
Sylvia Jefferies	...	Tracy (4 episodes, 2009)
Luke Bigham		(2 episodes, 2009)
Randy Gambill		(2 episodes, 2009)
Will Ferrell	...	Ashley Schaeffer (2 episodes, 2009)
Quentin Kerr	...	Kevin Hickman (2 episodes, 2009)
Terry Bowden	...	Schaeffer Salesman (2 episodes, 2009)
Nora Mangrum	...	Rose Powers (2 episodes, 2009)
Craig Robinson	...	Baseball Player / ... (2 episodes, 2009)

Also Known As:

P.E. (USA) (working title)
Untitled Will Ferrell/Adam McKay Project (USA) (working title)

Filming Locations:

Scotts Hill, North Carolina, USA

Company:

Enemy MIGs Productions

Quotes:

Ashley Schaeffer: I had a dream about this moment... When I was making love... to my wife Donna. On top a her; powerful thrusts, filling the sultry night air. Heavy breath. My son Gabriel walked in, little boy. My wife sprung out of bed and said "No, Gabriel! Leave!" And I said "No, honey, shut your mouth, let him watch." Let him watch what is being consecrated here. And I want the people to watch what is going to be consecrated here. And I will bring my son down here, and he will watch.

You have got to be kidding me

This is one of those rare instances in which a show comes highly recommended from trusted sources, and then fails to deliver in a big, big way. Eastbound and Down fits squarely into the character comedy genre, and in this case the Kenny Powers persona is the familiar caricature of the incorrigible dufus. Danny McBride is certainly convincing in his role as the rude and arrogant former pro pitcher, but the formula falls flat when his character's constant foibles in already-absurd situations are more pathetic (and, at times, just plain irritating) than funny. I was hoping that Will Ferrell's appearance in the second and fifth episodes would elevate the humor somewhat, but unfortunately his role as Ashley Schaeffer was completely contrived, and the incredibly poor use of his star power made Eastbound and Down even more difficult to stomach. I eagerly await the day that these lackluster "idiot" comedies fall out of favor and clever satire and truly absurd humor regain popularity. Until then, I guess we'll have to settle for Eastbound and Down, My Name is Earl and Trailer Park Boys. Sigh.